https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:46:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436747 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:57:13 +0000 pregnantbee 2436747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so, so hard. We set the rules early for our 3 yo -- (he was 3 years, 3 mo when we moved him to a bed). If he complains that he's not tired, we tell him that he doesn't have to go to sleep, but he does have to stay in his bed. We allow a water bottle in bed with him, so he doesn't whine about needing water. He is allowed to rest, read books, be quiet with his stuffed animals. He's only allowed out if he legitimately has to go to the bathroom.</p> <p>I think we started doing this before he was in a bed b/c he was adamant about our staying in the room with him for hours before he'd consider actually sleeping:</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2015/01/16/twin-bed-transition-incentive-program/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2015/01/16/twin-bed-transition-incentive-program/</a></p> <p>It was really helpful. He loved getting to put a penny in the jar in the morning if he was well behaved and listened the night before. I can't remember what his larger prize was for collecting enough pennies -- it became more about the act of getting to put a penny in the jar! Worth trying out.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436727 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:38:54 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2436727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think too for the leaving to be effective it has to be immediately upon first offense. Make the rules clear, like after book we are laying down with our head on the pillow and feet tucked in. If your head gets off the pillow I am leaving. And the first time it does just state that since she wasn't lying nicely with her head down you are leaving. Come back in after a bit and ask her if she's ready to try again. It will be rough for 2-3 days but she will pick up on it quickly because she doesn't want you to leave. But start it immediately not after you've made bargains and given warnings. It has to be immediate action/reaction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436722 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:27:45 +0000 travelgirl1 2436722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ginabean3: Thanks :happy: Well, she does if we are in the car, but not otherwise. She has always fought her sleep.</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: I have tried the leaving thing, but usually I am quite exasperated by that point. I will try it tomorrow with all the emotion taken out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436666 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:23:30 +0000 yoursilverlining 2436666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds similar to bedtime with my 3 year old. She will only fall asleep if I'm laying next to her. What helps is setting up a clear routine and consequences of high value items with solid follow through on the consequence. </p> <p>If she starts to goof off at bedtime / when she is supposed to be going to sleep, I leave the room, which is what she does NOT want to happen. That corrects a lot of behavior - just calmly leaving (no fight, no yelling, no anger). I tell her I'll return when she is laying down quietly and trying to sleep, and I do and we start the process over. :meh: </p> <p>If she wants me to stay, she's required to be "working towards sleep", or I leave again.</p> <p>So, I don't know if this is helpful or not, but here's some commiseration! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436654 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:10:31 +0000 Ginabean3 2436654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping this for you! And hugs! That's rough! Does she take an afternoon nap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horrendous-bedtime-three-year-old#post-2436616 Mon, 25 Jan 2016 17:20:25 +0000 travelgirl1 2436616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>PLEASE help me figure out how to get my kid to sleep!</p> <p>She has always fallen asleep with me or DH lying next to her and it hasn't been too time consuming. We just moved overseas so she has left behind everyone and everything she knew, but to be honest was starting to push her luck at bedtime before the move, so I'm not sure if it is purely to blame.</p> <p>Now it can easily be two hours plus of her jumping up and down, yelling, turning the light on and off, opening the door and running out.... Needing the toilet, needing a drink... It is exhausting and she is so tired because of it. </p> <p>We are trying to give her some quieter wind down time before bed and we have tried consequences (no treats tomorrow etc if you don't come back to bed), ignoring, reasoning... I also try to be calm even when she is going crazy. </p> <p>Anyone been through anything similar? </p>